Gaba claims its instructors are not employees, but self-employed subcontractors. However, in December 2009, the Osaka Prefectural Labour Commission judged, after careful examination, that Gaba teachers are in fact employees under the Trade Union Law. The GU believes that this furthers our demands for paid holidays and health, pension, and unemployment insurance.

The prefectural labour commission not only ruled against Gaba, but also made a very strong case as to why Gaba instructors are employees, which is what Gaba least desired. Gaba therefore appealed the ruling to the Central Labour Commission and on 6 October 2010 the ruling was made.